U.S. patent application number 12/039222 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-03 for using personalized tones to indicate when a participant arrives and/or leaves a conference call.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven Michael Miller, Lisa Anne Seacat.
Application Number | 20090220063 12/039222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41013168 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090220063 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Steven Michael ; et
al. |
September 3, 2009 |
Using Personalized Tones To Indicate When A Participant Arrives
And/Or Leaves A Conference Call
Abstract
A method, system and computer program product for identifying
which participant joined or exited a conference call. A participant
to a conference call is able to select a personalized tone from a
list of predetermined tones or to upload a personalized tone to a
designated site, where the personalized tone is to be played upon
the participant joining and/or exiting the conferencing call. In
this manner, the other participants of the conference call would
know which participant joined or exited the conference call.
Inventors: |
Miller; Steven Michael;
(Cary, NC) ; Seacat; Lisa Anne; (San Francisco,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORP. (WSM);c/o WINSTEAD SECHREST & MINICK P.C.
P.O. BOX 50784
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
41013168 |
Appl. No.: |
12/039222 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/202.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 19/041 20130101;
H04M 2203/5081 20130101; H04M 3/42153 20130101; H04M 3/56
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/202.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A method for identifying which participant joined or exited a
conference call, the method comprising: receiving a request from a
requester to select a tone for joining and/or exiting a conference
call for an identified participant; receiving a selection of a tone
from a list of tones to be associated with said identified
participant for joining and/or exiting said conference call; and
saving said selected tone from said list of tones associated with
said identified participant for joining and/or exiting said
conference call.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: receiving a
modification to said selected tone for said identified participant;
and modifying said selected tone for said identified
participant.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: receiving a
request to block said selected tone for said identified
participant; and discarding said selected tone associated with said
identified participant.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: receiving a
revised tone for said selected tone associated with said identified
participant for joining and/or exiting said conference call; and
updating said selected tone associated with said identified
participant with said revised tone.
5. A system, comprising: a memory unit for storing a computer
program for identifying which participant joined or exited a
conference call; and a processor coupled to said memory unit,
wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program,
comprises: circuitry for receiving a request from a requester to
select a tone for joining and/or exiting a conference call for an
identified participant; circuitry for receiving a selection of a
tone from a list of tones to be associated with said identified
participant for joining and/or exiting said conference call; and
circuitry for saving said selected tone from said list of tones
associated with said identified participant for joining and/or
exiting said conference call.
6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further
comprises: circuitry for receiving a modification to said selected
tone for said identified participant; and circuitry for modifying
said selected tone for said identified participant.
7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further
comprises: circuitry for receiving a request to block said selected
tone for said identified participant; and circuitry for discarding
said selected tone associated with said identified participant.
8. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further
comprises: circuitry for receiving a revised tone for said selected
tone associated with said identified participant for joining and/or
exiting said conference call; and circuitry for updating said
selected tone associated with said identified participant with said
revised tone.
9. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable
medium for identifying which participant joined or exited a
conference call, the computer program product comprising the
programming instructions for: receiving a request from a requester
to select a tone for joining and/or exiting a conference call for
an identified participant; receiving a selection of a tone from a
list of tones to be associated with said identified participant for
joining and/or exiting said conference call; and saving said
selected tone from said list of tones associated with said
identified participant for joining and/or exiting said conference
call.
10. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 further
comprising the programming instructions for: receiving a
modification to said selected tone for said identified participant;
and modifying said selected tone for said identified
participant.
11. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 further
comprising the programming instructions for: receiving a request to
block said selected tone for said identified participant; and
discarding said selected tone associated with said identified
participant.
12. The computer program product as recited in claim 9 further
comprising the programming instructions for: receiving a revised
tone for said selected tone associated with said identified
participant for joining and/or exiting said conference call; and
updating said selected tone associated with said identified
participant with said revised tone.
13. A method for identifying which participant joined or exited a
conference call, the method comprising: receiving a request from a
requester to access a conference call service; generating speech
signals prompting said requester to indicate if said requester is
to upload a tone for joining and/or exiting a conference call; and
generating speech signals prompting said requester to upload said
tone at a designated site for joining and/or exiting said
conference call if said requester indicated to upload said tone for
joining and/or exiting said conference call, wherein said tone is
associated with said requester.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising:
requesting authorization information from said requester to access
said conference call service.
15. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising: receiving
a modification to a designated tone for a designated participant;
and modifying said designated tone for said designated
participant.
16. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising: receiving
a request to block a designated tone for a designated participant;
and discarding said designated tone associated with said designated
participant.
17. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising: receiving
a revised tone for said uploaded tone for joining and/or exiting
said conference call; and updating said uploaded tone with said
revised tone.
18. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising: receiving
a request from a participant to record a live audio clip as a tone
for joining and/or exiting said conference call; recording said
live audio clip; and saving said recorded live audio clip for
joining and/or exiting said conference call, wherein said recorded
live audio clip is associated with said participant.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to teleconference systems, and
more particularly to using personalized tones to indicate when a
participant arrives and/or leaves a conference call.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Teleconference systems, or simply "conference call systems,"
bring multiple parties together from remote locations. Ideally,
teleconference systems allow participants to communicate with each
other as if they were seated in the same room. A teleconference
system includes at least two stations (e.g., mobile telephone,
landline telephone) set up in remote rooms or locations
interconnected by a transmission system, such as a global network
or a telephone system.
[0003] Participants at each of the stations communicate with each
other through audio equipment. Audio equipment for each station
typically includes one or more microphones, speakers, and the
like.
[0004] Currently, when a participant joins or exits the conference
call, a sound, such as a door bell, is played to indicate that the
participant either joined or exited the conference call. However,
the other participants, including the moderator of the conference
call, do not know which participant joined or exited the conference
call. That is, when a participant joins or exits the conference
call, the other participants do not know who joined or exited the
conference call. If a personalized indication could be played to
signify joining and/or exiting the conference call for a particular
participant, then the other participants would know which
participant joined or exited the conference call.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for
identifying which participant joined or exited a conference call
comprises receiving a request from a requester to select a tone for
joining and/or exiting a conference call for an identified
participant. The method further comprises receiving a selection of
a tone from a list of tones to be associated with the identified
participant for joining and/or exiting the conference call.
Further, the method comprises saving the selected tone from the
list of tones associated with the identified participant for
joining and/or exiting the conference call.
[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for
identifying which participant joined or exited a conference call
comprises receiving a request from a requester to access a
conference call service. The method further comprises generating
speech signals prompting the requester to indicate if the requester
is to upload a tone for joining and/or exiting a conference call.
Additionally, the method comprises generating speech signals
prompting the requester to upload the tone at a designated site for
joining and/or exiting the conference call if the requester
indicated to upload the tone for joining and/or exiting the
conference call, where the tone is associated with the
requester.
[0007] The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and
technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present
invention in order that the detailed description of the present
invention that follows may be better understood. Additional
features and advantages of the present invention will be described
hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained when the following detailed description is considered in
conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a teleconference system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-C are a flowchart of a method for selecting or
uploading personalized tones by participants of the conference call
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for updating the selected
or uploaded personalized tones in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0012] FIGS. 4A-B are a flowchart of a method for having a
participant, such as the moderator, select personalized tones for
the participants of the conference call in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention comprises a method, system and
computer program product for identifying which participant joined
or exited a conference call. In one embodiment of the present
invention, a participant to a conference call is able to select a
personalized tone from a list of predetermined tones or to upload a
personalized tone to a designated site, where the personalized tone
is to be played upon the participant joining and/or exiting the
conferencing call. In this manner, the other participants of the
conference call would know which participant joined or exited the
conference call.
[0014] While the following discusses the present invention in
connection with implementing a conference bridge, the principles of
the present invention may be implemented in connection with live
streaming or broadcasting over a computer network without the
requirement of a conference bridge. A person of ordinary skill in
the art would be capable of applying the principles of the present
invention to such implementations. Further, embodiments applying
the principles of the present invention to such implementations
would fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0015] Further, when the following discusses selecting a "tone" or
uploading a "tone," the term "tone" is not to be limited in scope
to a sound of a definite pitch and vibration but to include any
sound of any duration of time, including, but not limited to,
music, speech, voice, instrumental, etc.
[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. In other instances, well-known circuits have been shown in
block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in
unnecessary detail. For the most part, details considering timing
considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such
details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the
present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary
skill in the relevant art.
FIG. 1--Teleconference System
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention of
a teleconference system 100. Teleconference system 100 may include
one or more mobile telephones 101, one or more cordless telephones
102 and one or more landline telephones 103.
[0018] Mobile telephone 101 may be connected to a conference bridge
system 104 via a mobile telephone switching center 105 and a Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 106. Mobile telephone switching
center 105 connects the landline Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN) 106 to the mobile phone system. PSTN 106 may be connected to
conference bridge system 104.
[0019] Similarly, cordless telephone 102 may be connected to a
conference bridge system 104 via a local exchange carrier 107A and
PSTN 106. Local exchange carrier 107A enables cordless telephone
102 to gain access to conference bridge system 104 via PSTN 106.
Further, landline telephone 103 may be connected to a conference
bridge system 104 via a local exchange carrier 107B and PSTN 106.
Local exchange carrier 107B enables landline telephone 103 to gain
access to conference bridge system 104 via PSTN 106. Local exchange
carriers 107A-B may collectively or individually be referred to as
local exchange carriers 107 or local exchange carrier 107,
respectively.
[0020] Teleconference system 100 may further include a data
processing system 108, which runs suitable web browser software,
connected to a server 109 via a computer network 110 (e.g., Local
Area Network (LAN), such as Ethernet, Token Ring, ARCnet, or a Wide
Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet). Data processing system
108 may be any type of device configured with the capability of
connecting to network 110 and consequently communicating with
server 109. Server 109 may be configured to store tones selected or
uploaded from participants of the conference call as discussed
further below.
[0021] Teleconference system 100 may further include a mobile
device, which runs suitable web browser software, such as mobile
telephone 101 or a personal digital assistant, which is connected
to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) gateway 111 via a wireless
telephone network 112. WAP gateway 111 provides a set of
communication protocols enabling wireless devices, such as mobile
telephone 101, to access computer network 110.
[0022] As stated above, teleconference system 100 may include a
conference bridge system 104. Conference bridge system 104 may
include a conference bridge 113 configured to connect callers of
mobile telephones 101, cordless telephones 102 and landline
telephones 103 together, such as on a conference call. Further,
conference bridge 113 may be configured to monitor the conference
call session as well as electronically balance the lines so that
each caller can hear and speak to all the other callers no matter
how many people hop on or off the call.
[0023] Teleconference system 100 may include any number of mobile
telephones 101, cordless telephones 102 and landline telephones
103. Further, teleconference system 100 may include any number of
mobile devices (e.g., personal digital assistant, mobile telephone
101) with the capability of connecting to computer network 110.
Additionally, teleconference system 100 may include any number of
data processing systems 108.
[0024] Furthermore, conference bridge system 104 may include a
controller 114 coupled to conference bridge 113. Controller 114 is
further connected to sever 109 and directly and indirectly to
computer network 110. Controller 114 is configured to identify
which participant joined or exited the conference call as discussed
herein. Controller 114 may include a processor 115 coupled to a
memory 116. Processor 115 may be configured to execute the
instructions of the program stored in memory 116. In one
embodiment, the program for identifying which participant joined or
exited the conference call, as discussed further below in
connection with FIGS. 2A-C, 3 and 4A-B, may reside in memory 116.
Further, memory 116 may include a program for voice recording
(discussed further below).
[0025] FIG. 1 is illustrative of an embodiment of teleconference
system 100 and FIG. 1 is not to be limited in scope to any one
particular embodiment. For example, other mobile devices, such as a
personal digital assistant, may also be used by a caller to connect
with a conference call session.
[0026] The various aspects, features, embodiments or
implementations of the invention described herein can be used alone
or in various combinations. The methods of the present invention
can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of
hardware and software. The present invention can also be embodied
as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The
computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store
data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of
the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random
access memory, CD-ROMs, flash memory cards, DVDs, magnetic tape,
optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer
readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled
computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and
executed in a distributed fashion.
[0027] As discussed in the Background section, currently, when a
participant joins or exits the conference call, a sound, such as a
door bell, is played to indicate the participant either joining or
exiting the conference call. However, the other participants,
including the moderator of the conference call, do not know which
participant joined or exited the conference call. That is, when a
participant joins or exits the conference call, the other
participants do not know who joined or exited the conference call.
If a personalized indication could be played to signify joining
and/or exiting the conference call for a particular participant,
then the other participants would know which participant joined or
exited the conference call.
[0028] As described below in connection with FIGS. 2A-C, 3 and
4A-B, participants may be able to select or upload personalized
tones that will play when they arrive and/or leave the conference
call. In this manner, the other participants (e.g., moderator) will
know which participant joined or exited the conference call. FIGS.
2A-C are a flowchart of a method for selecting or uploading
personalized tones by participants of the conference call. FIG. 3
is a flowchart of a method for updating the personalized tones.
FIGS. 4A-B are a flowchart of a method for the participant, such as
the moderator, to select personalized tones for the participants of
the conference call.
FIGS. 2A-C--Method for Selecting or Uploading Personalized
Tones
[0029] FIGS. 2A-C are a flowchart of a method 200 for selecting or
uploading personalized tones by participants of the conference call
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2A, in conjunction with FIG. 1, in step
201, controller 114 receives a request from a participant (e.g.,
user of mobile telephone 101) to access a conference call service.
For example, the participant may dial a particular "800" number to
gain access to the conference call service.
[0031] In step 202, controller 114 requests authorization
information from the requestor. For example, controller 114 may
request a pass code to be entered by the participant on the
telephone keypad in order to obtain access to the conference call
service. The pass code may have been previously provided to those
participants that are authorized to join the conference call by the
moderator of the conference call.
[0032] In step 203, controller 114 determines whether the requester
is authorized. In one embodiment, the requester is deemed to be
authorized by controller 114 if controller 114 receives the
authorization information from the requestor. If controller 114
does not receive the appropriate authorization information, then
controller 114 may prevent the caller from joining the conference
call session.
[0033] If the requester is not authorized to join the conference
call, then, in step 204, controller 114 instructs conference bridge
113 to generate speech signals indicating the requester is not
authorized to access the conference call service. In step 205,
conference bridge 113 generates speech signals indicating the
requester is not authorized to access the conference call service.
Upon conference bridge 113 generating speech signals indicating the
requester is not authorized to access the conference call service,
controller 114 continues to wait to receive a request from another
participant to access the conference call service in step 201.
[0034] If, however, the requester is authorized to join the
conference call, then, in step 206, controller 114 instructs
conference bridge 113 to generate speech signals prompting the
requester to indicate if the requester wants a tone to be
associated with joining and/or exiting the conference call, and if
the requester wants a tone to be associated with joining and/or
exiting the conference call, whether the requester wants to select
a tone from a list or to upload a tone for joining and/or exiting
the conference call. In step 207, conference bridge 113 generates
speech signals prompting the requester to indicate if the requester
wants a tone to be associated with joining and/or exiting the
conference call, and if the requester wants a tone to be associated
with joining and/or exiting the conference call, whether the
requester wants to select a tone from a list or to upload a tone
for joining and/or exiting the conference call.
[0035] In step 208, controller 114 receives input from the
requester indicating whether or not the requester wants a tone
associated with joining and/or exiting the conference call.
Further, controller 114 receives input as to whether the requester
is to select a tone from a list or to upload a tone for joining
and/or exiting the conference call if the requester indicated that
he/she wants a tone associated with joining and/or exiting the
conference call. For example, the caller may input an indication
that he/she wants a tone associated with joining and/or exiting the
conference call by selecting various numbers/letters/symbols on an
alphanumeric telephone keypad. Further, the caller may input an
indication that he/she wants to select a tone from a list or to
upload a tone for joining and/or exiting the conference call by
selecting various numbers/letters/symbols on an alphanumeric
telephone keypad.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2B, in conjunction with FIG. 1, in step
209, controller 114 determines whether the requester wants to
select a tone from a list.
[0037] If controller 114 received an indication from the requester
indicating that the requester wanted to select a tone from a list,
then, in step 210, controller 114 instructs conference bridge 113
to generate speech signals directed to providing a list of tones
for the requester to select for joining and/or exiting the
conference call. In step 211, conference bridge 1 13 generates
speech signals directed to providing a list of tones for the
requester to select for joining and/or exiting the conference
call.
[0038] In step 212, controller 114 receives a selected tone to be
associated with the requester for joining and/or exiting the
conference call. For example, the caller may select a particular
tone from the list provided to the caller for joining and/or
exiting the conference call-by selecting various
numbers/letters/symbols on an alphanumeric telephone keypad.
[0039] In step 213, controller 114 saves the selected tone
associated with the caller for joining and/or exiting the
conference call in server 109.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2C, in conjunction with FIG. 1, if,
however, controller 114 did not receive an input from the requester
indicating that the requester wanted to select a tone from a list,
then, in step 214, controller 114 determines whether the requester
is to upload a tone for joining the conference call.
[0041] If controller 114 receives an indication from the caller
requesting to upload a tone for joining the conference call, then,
in step 215, controller 114 instructs conference bridge 113 to
generate speech signals prompting the requester to upload the tone
at a designated site (e.g., website location). In step 216,
conference bridge 113 generates speech signals prompting the
requester to upload the tone at a designated site. For example, the
caller may receive a prompt to upload the tone at a particular
website. If the caller's telecommunication device (e.g., mobile
telephone 101) has web browsing software, then the caller may
upload the tone to server 109 via computer network 111, which the
caller accesses through WAP gateway 111 and wireless network 112.
Alternatively, if the caller's telecommunication device (e.g.,
landline telephone 103) does not have web browsing software, then
the caller may upload the tone to server 109 via computer network
111 using computer 108 (e.g., in a workplace environment, the
caller may use the telephone to access the conference call and the
computer to upload the tone).
[0042] If the caller did not request to upload a tone for joining
the conference call, or, upon conference bridge 113 generating
speech signals prompting the requester to upload the tone at a
designated site, controller 114 determines whether the requester is
to upload a tone for exiting the conference call in step 217.
[0043] If the caller requests to upload a tone for exiting the
conference call, then, in step 218, controller 114 instructs
conference bridge 113 to generate speech signals prompting the
requester to upload the tone at a designated site. In step 219,
conference bridge 113 generates speech signals prompting the
requester to upload the tone at a designated site.
[0044] If the caller did not request to upload a tone for exiting
the conference call, or, upon conference bridge 113 generating
speech signals prompting the requester to upload the tone at a
designated site, controller 114, in step 220, determines whether
there are additional participants to join the conference call
session.
[0045] If there are additional participants to join the conference
call session, then controller 114 waits to receive another request
to access the conference call session from another participant in
step 201.
[0046] If, however, all the participants have joined the conference
call session, then, in step 221, controller 114 terminates the
conference call set-up.
[0047] Method 200 may include other and/or additional steps that,
for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 200 may be executed
in a different order presented and that the order presented in the
discussion of FIGS. 2A-C is illustrative. Additionally, certain
steps in method 200 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous
manner or may be omitted.
[0048] A discussion of updating the selected or uploaded
personalized tones is provided below in connection with FIG. 3.
FIG. 3--Method for Updating the Selected Uploaded Personalized
Tones
[0049] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for updating the
selected or uploaded personalized tones in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIG. 1, in step
301, controller 114 determines if it received input from a
participant (e.g., moderator) to modify a designated tone. For
example, controller 114 may receive an indication from the
moderator, such as via the selection of particular
numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone keypad, to
provide a modification to a selected or uploaded tone. In one
embodiment, the participant may indicate which tone for which
participant in response to prompts provided by controller 114 via
conference bridge 113. For example, the moderator, in response to a
prompt, may indicate which participant whose tone is to be modified
via the selection of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the
alphanumeric telephone keypad. The prompt may include a menu or a
listing of participants to the conference call along with a number
associated with the participant. The moderator may then select the
number for the participant whose tone is to be modified. Further,
conference bridge 113 may generate the tone(s) uploaded for the
selected participant. The moderator may then select an alphanumeric
character on the telephone keypad corresponding to the tone to be
modified.
[0051] If controller 114 received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to modify a designated tone, then, in step 302,
controller 114 receives the modification to the designated tone for
the designated participant. For example, the moderator may
indicate, such as via selecting alphanumeric characters on the
telephone keypad, to limit the length of the duration of the tone.
In step 303, controller 114 modifies the designated tone for the
designated participant in accordance with the input received in
step 302. For example, controller 114 may modify the designated
tone stored in server 109 for the designated participant in
accordance with the moderator's request.
[0052] If no input is received to modify a designated tone or after
modifying the designated tone in server 109 associated with the
identified participant, then controller 114, in step 304,
determines if it received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to block a designated tone. For example, controller 114
may receive an indication from the moderator, such as via the
selection of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric
telephone keypad, to block an uploaded tone. In one embodiment, the
participant may indicate which tone to block in response to prompts
provided by controller 114 via conference bridge 113. For example,
the moderator, in response to a prompt, may indicate which
participant whose tone is to be blocked via the selection of
particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone
keypad. The prompt may include a menu or a listing of participants
to the conference call along with a number associated with the
participant. The moderator may then select the number for the
participant whose tone is to be blocked. Further, conference bridge
113 may generate the tone(s) associated with the selected
participant. The moderator may then select an alphanumeric
character on the telephone keypad corresponding to the tone to be
blocked.
[0053] If controller 114 received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to block a designated tone, then, in step 305,
controller 114 receives the request to block a designated tone for
the designated participant. In step 306, controller 114 discards
the designated tone in server 109 for the designated
participant.
[0054] If no input is received to block a designated tone or after
blocking the designated tone in server 109 associated with the
identified participant, then controller 114, in step 307,
determines if it received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to update a designated tone. For example, controller 114
may receive an indication from the moderator, such as via the
selection of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric
telephone keypad, to update a selected or uploaded tone. In one
embodiment, the participant may indicate which tone for which
participant in response to prompts provided by controller 114 via
conference bridge 113. For example, the moderator, in response to a
prompt, may indicate which participant whose tone is to be updated
via the selection of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the
alphanumeric telephone keypad. The prompt may include a menu or a
listing of participants to the conference call along with a number
associated with the participant. The moderator may then select the
number for the participant whose tone is to be modified. Further,
conference bridge 113 may generate the tone(s) associated with the
selected participant for joining and/or exiting the conference
call. The moderator may then select an alphanumeric character on
the telephone keypad corresponding to the tone to be updated.
[0055] If controller 114 received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to update a designated tone, then, in step 308,
controller 114 receives the revised tone for the designated tone
for joining and/or exiting the conference call. In one embodiment,
the participant (e.g., moderator) transmits an audio file to
controller 114 via computer network 110. For example, if the
participant's telecommunication device (e.g., mobile telephone 101)
has web browsing software, then the caller may transmit the audio
file to controller 114 via computer network 110, which the caller
accesses through WAP gateway Ill and wireless network 112.
Alternatively, if the participant's telecommunication device (e.g.,
landline telephone 103) does not have web browsing software, then
the participant may transmit the revised tone (audio file) to
controller 114 via computer network 110 using computer 108 (e.g.,
in a workplace environment, the caller may use the telephone to
access the conference call and the computer to transmit the revised
tone).
[0056] In step 309, controller 114 updates the identified tone in
server 109 with the received revised tone.
[0057] If no input is received to update a designated tone or after
updating he designated tone in server 109 associated with the
identified participant, then controller 114, in step 310,
determines if it received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to record a live audio clip as a tone for that
participant for joining and/or exiting the conference call. For
example, controller 114 may receive an indication from the
moderator, such as via the selection of particular
numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone keypad, to
record a live audio clip. In one embodiment, the participant may
indicate to record a live audio clip for either joining and/or
exiting the conference call in response to prompts provided by
controller 114 via conference bridge 113. For example, the
moderator, in response to a prompt, may indicate, via selecting
particularly alphanumeric characters on the telephone keypad,
whether controller 114 is to record a live audio clip for joining
or for exiting the conference call.
[0058] If controller 114 received input from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to record a live audio clip as a tone for that
participant for joining and/or exiting the conference call, then,
in step 311, controller 114 records a live audio clip as a tone.
For example, controller 114 may include voice recording software
stored in memory 116. Controller 114 may activate and terminate the
voice recording software in response to input received from the
participant which may include instructions as to when to start and
stop recording. For example, the participant may select a
particular character on the telephone keypad to start recording and
select another character on the telephone keypad to stop
recording.
[0059] In step 312, controller 114 saves the recorded live audio
clip associated with the participant (i.e., the caller) for joining
and/or exiting the conference call in server 109.
[0060] If no input is received to record a live audio clip as a
tone or after saving the recorded live audio clip, then controller
114, in step 301, determines if it received input from a
participant (e.g., moderator) to modify a designated tone.
[0061] Method 300 may include other and/or additional steps that,
for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 300 may be executed
in a different order presented and that the order presented in the
discussion of FIG. 3 is illustrative. Additionally, certain steps
in method 300 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous
manner or may be omitted.
[0062] There may be times when a participant, such as a moderator,
may not want to allow the other participants of the conference call
to have the ability to select their own tones. In such a case, it
may be desirable to have the participant, such as the moderator,
select personalized tones for the participants of the conference
call, as discussed below in connection with FIGS. 4A-B.
FIGS. 4A-B--Method for Participant to Select Personalized Tones for
the Participants of the Conference Call
[0063] FIGS. 4A-B are a flowchart of a method 400 for a
participant, such as the moderator, to select personalized tones
for the participants of the conference call in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4A, in conjunction with FIG. 1, in step
401, controller 114 receives a request from a participant (e.g.,
moderator) to select a tone for the joining and/or exiting of a
particular caller to a conference call. For example, controller 114
may receive an indication from the moderator, such as via the
selection of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric
telephone keypad, to select a tone for the joining and/or exiting
of a particular caller to a conference call. In one embodiment, the
moderator may indicate which participant of the conference call
whose tone is to established by the moderator via the selection of
particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone
keypad. In one embodiment, the moderator may indicate whether the
moderator wants to select a tone from a list, record a live audio
clip as a tone or to upload a tone for joining and/or exiting a
conference call for the identified participant via the selection of
particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone
keypad.
[0065] In step 402, controller 114 determines whether the
participant (e.g., moderator) wants to select a tone from a
list.
[0066] If the participant (e.g., moderator) wants to select a tone
from a list, then, in step 403, controller 114 instructs conference
bridge 113 to generate speech signals directed to providing a list
of tones for the participant (e.g., moderator) to select for
joining and/or exiting the conference call. In step 404, conference
bridge 113 generates speech signals directed to providing a list of
tones for the participant (e.g., moderator) to select for joining
and/or exiting the conference call.
[0067] In step 405, controller 114 receives a selected tone to be
associated with an identified caller for joining and/or exiting the
conference call. For example, the moderator may input an indication
of selecting a particular tone from the list provided to the
moderator for joining and/or exiting an identified caller to the
conference call by selecting various numbers/letters/symbols on an
alphanumeric telephone keypad.
[0068] In step 406, controller 114 saves the selected tone
associated with the identified participant for joining and/or
exiting the conference call in server 109.
[0069] If, however, the moderator does not want to select a tone
from a list, then, in step 407, controller 114 determines if it
received input from the participant (e.g., moderator) to record a
live audio clip as a tone for the identified caller for joining
and/or exiting the conference call. For example, controller 114 may
receive an indication from the moderator, such as via the selection
of particular numbers/letters/symbols on the alphanumeric telephone
keypad, to record a live audio clip.
[0070] If controller 114 received input from the participant (e.g.,
moderator) to record a live audio clip as a tone for the identified
caller for joining and/or exiting the conference call, then, in
step 408, controller 114 records a live audio clip as a tone. For
example, controller 114 may include voice recording software stored
in memory 116. Controller 114 may activate and terminate the voice
recording software in response to input received from the
participant (e.g., moderator) which may include instructions as to
when to start and stop recording. For example, the moderator may
select a particular character on the telephone keypad to start
recording and select another character on the telephone keypad to
stop recording.
[0071] In step 409, controller 114 saves the recorded live audio
clip associated with the identified caller for joining and/or
exiting the conference call in server 109.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 4B, in conjunction with FIG. 1, if,
however, controller 114 did not receive input indicating that the
participant (e.g., moderator) wants to record a live audio clip as
a tone, then, in step 410, controller 114 determines whether the
participant (e.g., moderator) is to upload a tone, associated with
the identified caller, for joining the conference call.
[0073] If the participant (e.g., moderator) requests to upload a
tone, associated with the identified caller, for joining the
conference call, then, in step 411, controller 114 instructs
conference bridge 113 to generate speech signals prompting the
participant (e.g., moderator) to upload the tone at a designated
site (e.g., website location). In step 412, conference bridge 113
generates speech signals prompting the participant (e.g.,
moderator) to upload the tone at a designated site. For example,
the moderator may receive a prompt to upload the tone at a
particular website. If the moderator's telecommunication device
(e.g., mobile telephone 101) has web browsing software, then the
moderator may upload the tone to server 109 via computer network
111, which the moderator accesses through WAP gateway 111 and
wireless network 112. Alternatively, if the moderator's
telecommunication device (e.g., landline telephone 103) does not
have web browsing software, then the moderator may upload the tone
to server 109 via computer network 111 using computer 108 (e.g., in
a workplace environment, the moderator may use the telephone to
access the conference call and the computer to upload the
tone).
[0074] If the participant (e.g., moderator) did not request to
upload a tone, associated with the identified participant, for
joining the conference call, or, upon conference bridge 113
generating speech signals prompting the participant (e.g.,
moderator) to upload the tone at a designated site, controller 114
determines whether the participant (e.g., moderator) is to upload a
tone, associated with the identified participant, for exiting the
conference call in step 413.
[0075] If the participant (e.g., moderator) requests to upload a
tone, associated with the identified participant, for exiting the
conference call, then, in step 414, controller 114 instructs
conference bridge 113 to generate speech signals prompting the
participant (e.g., moderator) to upload the tone at a designated
site. In step 415, conference bridge 113 generates speech signals
prompting the participant (e.g., moderator) to upload the tone at a
designated site.
[0076] If the participant (e.g., moderator) did not request to
upload a tone, associated with the identified participant, for
exiting the conference call, or, upon conference bridge 113
generating speech signals prompting the participant (e.g.,
moderator) to upload the tone, associated with the identified
participant, at a designated site, controller 114, in step 401,
waits to receive another request from the participant (e.g.,
moderator) to select a tone for the joining and/or exiting of a
particular caller to a conference call.
[0077] Method 400 may include other and/or additional steps that,
for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 400 may be executed
in a different order presented and that the order presented in the
discussion of FIGS. 4A-B is illustrative. Additionally, certain
steps in method 400 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous
manner or may be omitted.
[0078] Although the method, system and computer program product are
described in connection with several embodiments, it is not
intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but
on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. It is noted that the headings are used only for
organizational purposes and not meant to limit the scope of the
description or claims.
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